University Explorations

University Explorations is the university's general education program. General education is a vital part of a student's course of study at Saint Leo University, as it informs, deepens, and extends learning beyond the major.

Through a topical focus, University Explorations courses demonstrate the relevance of the liberal arts and sciences to today's world, cultivating in students essential skills in critical thinking and decision making, effective communication, problem solving, analysis, and creativity.

The curriculum consists of 42 credit hours comprised of 12 credits of foundational learning in English composition, mathematics, and computer skills, and 30 credits hours spread over five learning clusters representing the liberal arts and sciences:

The Human Adventure (6 credits)Exploring our past, living in the present, and shaping our future

Here are the types of skills and knowledge that University Explorations seeks to develop in our students and that they should be able to understand and demonstrate upon their completion of the program:

1. Demonstrate critical thinking skills

2. Demonstrate quantitative skills

3. Understand how living things and physical systems operate and the relationships among them

The University Explorations curriculum provides undergraduate students with an understanding of Saint Leo University's Benedictine-inspired values and Catholic traditions while focusing on the liberal arts and sciences and introducing undergraduate students to an understanding of the knowledge needed to succeed in college and in lifelong learning. Based on the educational experiences that students have while in the Program, Saint Leo University seeks to graduate students:

• Who exhibit skills in dealing with fundamental human questions regarding the nature of human reality and the ways in which human beings come to know the world and issues of human morality

• Who have learned to love learning, who understand the importance of the liberal arts as a basis for all learning, who find the curriculum relevant, and who are prepared to become lifelong learners

Foundation Courses

Foundation courses in writing, mathematics and computer science prepare students to deal effectively with the rest of their coursework at Saint Leo University. These essential courses lay the groundwork for undergraduate students to succeed by providing them with the basic skills and tools that are required in upper-level courses.

Writing

For most undergraduate students, college-level writing is a difficult skill to master and one that requires constant practice. Therefore, many University Explorations courses are writing intensive because the ability to write well is central to learning and effective communication. Our Foundation writing courses are designed to prepare undergraduate students to:

Express themselves intelligently and clearly

Synthesize and integrate information from various disciplines

Write academic papers that are sound and compelling

Write academic papers based on accepted standardized formats

Use original material as well as properly use and cite source material from a wide variety of venues in academic papers

As an institution supporting Writing Across the Curriculum, we expect students both in the University Explorations Program and in the majors to produce academic writing at a level suitable for a variety of writing tasks from lab reports and case studies to literature reviews and research papers. Therefore, it is imperative that all students take ENG-121 and ENG-122 in their first two to three terms/semesters in order to build the essential skills needed for future classes.

A minimum grade of C is needed to fulfill the degree requirement.

Mathematics

The ability to use quantitative reasoning is another educational skill that is essential to success in college and lifelong learning. The formulas and procedures learned in MAT-131 College Mathematics (Business Majors will take MAT-141 Finite Mathematics) enable students to advance to and succeed in higher-level mathematics and related courses that use mathematics, as well as to develop quantitative skills used in everyday life.

Success in MAT-131 also helps undergraduate students to:

Develop increased proficiency in logical progression

Gain increased understanding of scientific structure and applications

Increase their ability to deal effectively with mathematics-related formulas found in other disciplines

A minimum grade of C is needed to fulfill the degree requirement.

Computer Science

To succeed in college and beyond, students must be computer literate. "Computer literate" does not mean being able to access the Internet; instead, this term requires that the student be able to use modern programs designed for word processing, spreadsheets, presentation management, and databases.

Students will:

Have a comprehensive ability to use modern, standard software programs

Be prepared for the expectations of today's workplace

Improve their understanding of the ethical issues caused by modern computer technology

The Human Adventure

Exploring the past, living in the present, and shaping the future.

The Human Adventure captures the nature of the human experience from social, political, psychological, economic, and historical perspectives. These courses require students to examine their lives within the context of a broader society and explore the ways in which humans understand themselves and interact with one another across space and time. Integrating the Core Values of Respect, Community, and Responsible Stewardship, these courses will provide students with the tools necessary to understand the past, live in the present and affect the future.

The Human Mosaic

Learning to live in a global society

Focusing on the Core Values of Respect and Community, the courses within the Human Mosaic are designed to prepare students to live and work in our diverse and global society. While exploring issues related to race, ethnicity, culture, and gender, students will come to understand that they cannot understand the totality of the human experience without taking into account its diversity. These courses will provide students with the tools of tolerance, respect, and cultural awareness that will be essential to their success as they encounter new ideas and interact with a wide array of people in their daily lives and in their careers.

Science in a Changing World

Expanding the possible

Progress in contemporary sciences continues to have a significant, ongoing impact on human life. Science in a Changing World examines the contemporary topics that impact the way humans live. Students will apply the fundamental principles of the natural world to provide possible solutions of today’s real-world problems. As a result, Saint Leo students will be better prepared to be informed members of the 21st century global community.

The Creative Life

Expressing the human experience through the arts

The Creative Life not only introduces students to the producers, products and processes of imagination; it activates their own imaginations.Through these courses, students will investigate the spectrum of human creativity and artistic endeavor, as well as the world's outstanding artists, gaining an understanding of the contributions of the arts to the world.Just as important, they will be given the aesthetic tools to both appreciate the artists' work and art in general,and to live a creative life.

The Reflective and Spiritual Life

Examining human and divine life

Reflection and spirituality lie at the center of what it means to be human. The study of philosophy, theology, and religion at Saint Leo University is an integral part of who we are as a Catholic university. The exploration courses in the reflective and spiritual life invite students to critically examine beliefs, understand a diversity of worldviews, and responsibly challenge the ideas and values that instruct our lives.